Following a failed bid from Chelsea a couple of weeks ago for Victor Moses, Wigan have made no secret of the fact that they are deeply displeased by the Blues’ advancements. Latics chairman Dave Whelan has stated that the club are “taking the mickey”, while he has also gone as far as offering his star man a new contract to stay at the DW Stadium. It now appears as though the saga has progressed some more, with Wigan apparently slapping a huge £12m price tag on the Nigerian forward.

It is understood that Chelsea’s initial bid for the former Crystal Palace man was £6m, but this was immediately rejected by Whelan who knows that a large proportion of the transfer fee has to be paid to Moses’ former club. Moreover, it has been reported that Whelan has offered to double Moses’ money and told him that Roberto Martinez is the best man to take him to the next level.

However, even though Wigan are highly reluctant to sell, their hand may be forced if the Blues increase their offer. Newspaper reports are suggesting that £12m will be enough to secure the 21-year-old, with Whelan comparing the transfer that saw Charles N’Zogbia leave Wigan and join Aston Villa in a £9.5m deal last year. Even though Moses is seen as a better prospect than N’Zogbia, Chelsea will be pointing to the issue that he has just twelve months remaining on his current contract. Furthermore, in recent weeks he has stated that he is more than open to a move to Stamford Bridge.

Whether or not the Blues are willing to spend such money on this transfer remains to be seen. Following the permanent appointment of Roberto Di Matteo, things have gone significantly quieter on the transfer front and nobody quite knows what RDM’s plans are for the summer.